Anyone still getting their arses handed to them by the AI

[Pete Hobbs]

What are your opinions at the moment of the NPCs i'm getting my butt kicked everytime i get interdicted. I am in a python fully kitted out top of the range everything but i dont seem to be standing a chance they strip my shields in seconds i dont even get a chance much to hit back. I have got some upgraded multicannons and pulse lasers which i got from engineers so its not like i have not tried lol Ok i am not a fighter i don't go out looking for trouble i favour trading which i have got Elite in but since 2.1 i am not enjoying it as much as pre 2.1 dont get me wrong its not like every 5 mins its happening but just want to know what others think about it i have been playing since Dec 14 so i'm not a newbie to it but i think the A I is a bit too strong, thoughts would be appreciated am i the only one lol

[Darr Valen]

Welcome to RNGineer'd NPCs.

[TorTorden]

I think they missed something with the python NPC's, they seem to be quite aggressive, and more 'cheaty' in manoeuvrability and scb spamming than any other npc ship, at least upper level (deadly, elite) and there are still plenty of evidence of doubled turning rates, scb spamming and never missing plasma accelerators etc etc.

It's also a huge difference in NPC's in res\nav beacons etc as well, those are toothless bears at this point, but the Elite anaconda's that interdict you for the two modular terminals you are carrying is a whole other leagues, this means traders, mission runners etc are fighting AI leagues above what I have met in Hazardous res sites.

Another example, I need my Corvette with reinforced shields, resist boosters and two A7 scb banks to tango with an elite anaconda that interdicts me, anything less than that and I just run, but I drop into a threat 4 uss and destroy a wing of three expert anacondas while barely sustaining shield damage.

As for dealing with them, getting decent shields is a main start, try Lei Chung, you would need lvl 3 with The Dweller but that's ok, since I really recommend modding the power distributor as well.
But increasing you heat resists on shields can often take most of the teeth out of them.

Ranking with engineers are very easy now, no need to spend three days mining or something, you can now just spam one of the tier one mods.
Like spamming 30 or so rolls on http://inara.cz/galaxy-blueprint/68, and the same for this, http://inara.cz/galaxy-blueprint/9.

Iron and sulphur are seriously common and after 2.1.05 you pick up three pieces for every one you prospect.
And if you do any surface spelunking, or mining you probably have this already.
Again, this isn't about applying the mods, but making rolls and grinding rank, and you will get the invite for Lei Chung in like 3 minutes doing this at The Dweller.

[JohnLuke]

If you are carrying any engineer's cargo (items used in engineer's recipes), the ships that interdict seem to be higher level and have more modded weapons. If you have such cargo on board and don't plan to use it for an engineer mod soon, I recommend selling or dumping it. That will reduce your number of interdictions substantially.

The elite FDL's, Condas, etc that interdict me are tough as nails too. I just boost and jump ASAP (unless I'm in my Vette ). Even in my A-rated Python I just run. It's faster and I'm far less likely to die.

[Mercath]

Wow, sentences and paragraphs are your friends, use them

But yes, the NPCs that interdict you are pretty insane. It's best to just run.

If you're a trader, I'd recommend putting mines in all your hard points. Then just boost in a straight line and fire off your mines, 4 pips to shields/ 2 to engines. Mines are surprisingly effective and should be enough to kill most interdictors.

[Pete Hobbs]

Thanks for the replies looke's like i am going to have to try harder in the engineer department then. I must admit before 2.1 i used to pray to get interdicted through boredom lol now i pray not to, but i still maintain the NPCs are too tuff i have lost millions and millions in re-buyes because they are over powered and as far as running i do if i can but they keep on they never give up lol

[TorTorden]

Yeah, if someone spawns in your cruise instance. You either have to kill them or jump to a new system, then back hoping it won't repeat.

[CMDR Merango IV]

Not since I have modded my Vette, now I can kill anything in like not many seconds save for an Elite Conda, that takes about a minute.

When trading in my less modded Cutter, I will stand and fight anything up to an Elite Conda serving a thermal beating so I just out run him while waving in the rear view mirror.

[Arbalest9]

Sometimes ASPs and Dropships ram me head on... shield 0%

got to pick your fights.

[TorTorden]

Not since I have modded my Vette, now I can kill anything in like not many seconds save for an Elite Conda, that takes about a minute.

When trading in my less modded Cutter, I will stand and fight anything up to an Elite Conda serving a thermal beating so I just out run him while waving in the rear view mirror.

The funny part.
Is that my d rated cutter with no mods kills elite anacondas faster and with less hassle than my all out vette.

Just keep them at dead six o'clock and <2.5km, and pelt mines at them then remember to cash in...